Pregabalin and Gabapentin abuse: a qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pregabalin and Gabapentin abuse: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
162244
Contact name
Charlie Place
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Community Healthcare Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 23 days
Research summary
Pregabalin and gabapentin are medicines that are becoming widely prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain and other conditions. This qualitiative study aims to explore the reasons why and how some people use these drugs recreationally. Prescribers in specialist areas such as addictions and prisons have been aware of the potential for pregabalin and gabapentin abuse for several years. These concerns are beginning to be reflected in the literature (Schifano 2014) and highlighted in a recent report (Drugscope 2015). Much of the existing literature is anecdotal, for example articles that discuss these concerns over abuse liability and a case study (Papazissi et al 2013;Gahr et al 2013; Filipetto et al 2010) or reports of the effects of recreational abuse of pregabalin in emergency departments (Millar et al 2013). In particular, we have been unable to find qualitative accounts that investigate the reasons why and how people use pregabalin and gabapentin recreationally.
Drugscope (2015) 'Down a stony road: the 2014 Drugscope Street Drug Survey'.
Filipetto F, Zipp C and Coren J (2010) ‘Potential for pregabalin abuse or diversion after past drug-seeking behaviour’ in Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 110/10, pp.1945-1997.
Gahr M, Franke B, Freudenmann R, Kolle M and Schonfeldt-Lecuona C (2013) ‘Concerns about pregabalin: further experience with its potential of causing addictive behaviours’ in Journal of Addictive Medicine, 7/2, pp.147-149.
Millar J, Sadasivan S, Weatherup N and Lutton S (2013) ‘Lyrica nights – recreational pregabalin abuse in an urban emergency department’ in Emergency Medicine Journal, 30/10, p. 874-874.
Papazisis G, Garyfallos g, Sardeli C and Kouvelas D (2013) ‘Pregabilin Abuse after past substance-seeking behaviour’ in International Journal of clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 51/5, pp.946-1965.
Schifano F (2014) 'Misuse and abuse of pregabilin and gabapentin: cause for concern?' in CNS Drugs, 28/6, pp.491-496.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0325
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion